Unprecedented Surge in Violence Against Children Amid Global Conflicts
“In 2023, violence against children in armed conflict reached extreme levels, with a shocking 21 per cent increase in grave violations. Children bore the brunt of multiplying and escalating crises that were marked by a complete disregard for child rights, notably the inherent right to life. The number of instances of killing and maiming increased by a staggering 35 per cent. ”
In short: The 2024 Annual Report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict reveals a significant increase in grave violations against children worldwide in 2023.
The United Nations verified a total of 32,990 grave violations, with 30,705 occurring in 2023 and 2,285 from previous years but verified in 2023. These violations affected 22,557 children (15,847 boys, 6,252 girls, 458 unknown gender) across 25 conflict situations and one regional monitoring arrangement covering the Lake Chad basin.
The highest numbers of violations were the killing (5,301) and maiming (6,348) of 11,649 children, followed by the recruitment and use of 8,655 children, 5,205 incidents of denial of humanitarian access, and the abduction of 4,356 children. Additionally, 2,491 children were detained for their actual or alleged association with armed groups or for national security reasons.
The report highlights the distinct gendered impacts of grave violations in conflict zones, with girls facing disproportionate sexual violence and abductions, while boys are more frequently recruited, used in combat, and detained.
The report highlights the inclusion of Israel for the first time due to severe violations against Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip.
Progress has been made in engaging parties to protect children in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, the Philippines, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen. Over 10,600 children formerly associated with armed forces or groups received protection or reintegration support during 2023.
What’s next: The urgent need for peace and protection for children has never been clearer. Greater diplomatic efforts are needed to ensure all parties adhere to international humanitarian laws, cease hostilities, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in conflict zones.
Introduction
The 2004 Annual Report of the United Nations Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) paints a distressing picture of the severe impact of ongoing conflicts on girls and boys worldwide. It covers the period January to December 2023. The findings document an alarming increase in grave violations against children, including deaths, injuries, abductions, denial of humanitarian access and attacks on educational and healthcare facilities. This comprehensive report highlights the urgent need for enhanced protective measures and international intervention to safeguard the youngest and most vulnerable in conflict zones.
As someone who has witnessed these conflicts firsthand, I have seen the profound and lasting impact they have on children.
Personal experience
As Chief of Child Protection for UNICEF, I was based in East Jerusalem from 2012 to 2014 and worked across the occupied Palestinian territories. A key theme of this work was responding to the impact of armed conflict on children, including the detention of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention. The work involved extensive travel to Gaza and the West Bank.
My time was bookended by two escalations in hostilities. The 2012 conflict, known as Operation Pillar of Defence, began on November 14, 2012. During this period, intense hostilities between Israel and armed Palestinian groups, primarily Hamas, resulted in significant casualties. Thirty three (33) Palestinian children were killed during this conflict and approximately 432 Palestinian children were injured. Several Israeli children were injured due to rocket attacks and airstrikes from Gaza. The 2014 Gaza War, known as Operation Protective Edge, began on July 8, 2014, and lasted for seven weeks. This conflict saw even higher casualties and a more extended period of violence. At least 547 Palestinian children were killed during the 2014 conflict. More than 3,374 Palestinian children were injured as a result of the hostilities. UNICEF, through its Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism, systematically documented that 350,000 children were in need of mental health and psychosocial support, as a result of the conflict.
I was there in June 2014 when three Jewish teenagers were abducted and murdered by members of Hamas. I was there a month later in July when, in apparent retaliation for the kidnapping and murder of the three Israeli teenagers, a Palestinian teenager was abducted by three Jewish extremists and driven to a forest near Jerusalem, where he was brutally beaten and burned to death. His family lived around the corner from the UNICEF country office. Visiting his family to show our respects was one of the most harrowing experiences of my time in the occupied territories.
For me, these experiences underscore the critical importance of the annual CAAC reports. Mandated by the United Nations Security Council, these reports play a pivotal role in documenting and addressing grave violations against children in conflict zones.
The Secretary-General’s annual reports on CAAC
These reports aim to hold perpetrators accountable by providing evidence-based data and fostering international scrutiny. Additionally, the reports raise global awareness about the plight of children in conflict zones, advocating for compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws. They also inform and influence the development of policies and programs aimed at preventing and responding to violations against children. By engaging with governments, non-state actors, and international organizations, the reports drive the implementation of action plans and commitments to protect children as part of the global ageda on children and armed conflict.
The Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM)
The Secretary-General’s annual reports on CAAC are based on data collected and verified through the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) which was established by Security Council Resolution 1612 in 2005. The mechanism is designed to systematically monitor, document, and report grave violations committed against children in armed conflict. The MRM focuses on six grave violations:
Killing and maiming of children
Recruitment or use of child soldiers
Sexual violence against children
Abductions of children
Attacks on schools and hospitals
Denial of humanitarian access for children
Task forces are established in countries with significant child rights violations. These task forces are co-chaired by UNICEF and the highest UN authority in the country, often the Resident Coordinator in development contexts or the head of the UN peacekeeping or political mission, in humanitarian/conflict contexts. They coordinate the collection and verification of data on violations against children.
Between 2005 and 2020, the MRM verified over 266,000 grave violations against children in more than 30 conflict situations across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. According to UNICEF:
“This figure is a fraction of the violations believed to have occurred, as access and security constraints, among others, and the shame, pain, and fear that child and family survivors suffer often hamper the reporting, documentation and verification of grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict.”
In 2022 and 2023 alone, there were 60,170 grave violations:
Global Agenda on Children and Armed Conflict
Designing the architecture for the CAAC agenda
The genesis of the Secretary-General’s annual reports on CAAC can be traced back to several key Security Council resolutions and initiatives. Security Council Resolution 1261, adopted on 25 August 1999, was the first to comprehensively address the issue of children and armed conflict. August this year will mark 25 years since the adoption of this resolution. This landmark resolution recognized the impact of armed conflict on children and called for their protection, mandating the UN Secretary-General to include information on children and armed conflict in his reports to the Security Council.
Following Resolution 1261, the UN established the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG-CAAC) in 1997. The SRSG-CAAC is tasked with promoting and protecting the rights of children affected by armed conflict.
Resolution 1314 adopted in 2000 emphasized the need for child protection and the importance of considering the impact of armed conflict on children in peace processes. It was the second resolution on children and armed conflict and reaffirmed that the deliberate targeting of civilians, including children, may constitute a threat to peace and security and requested the Secretary-General to continue to report to the Security Council on violations against children. Resolution 1379 adopted in 2001 called for a list of parties to conflict that recruit or use children in violation of international obligations. Resolution 1460 adopted in 2003 urged parties to conflict to prepare action plans to end recruitment and use of children. Resolution 1539 adopted in 2004 called for an action plan to end the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and groups.
As highlighted earlier, Security Council Resolution 1612, adopted on 26 July 2005, established the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism (MRM) on grave violations against children in conflict situations. This resolution requested the Secretary-General to report annually on the implementation of the resolution and the situation of children in conflict zones. It also established the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict to review the reports and recommend actions.
Strengthening the CAAC agenda
Since these earlier initiatives, the Security Council has adopted several resolutions to strengthen the framework for protecting children in armed conflict. Resolution 1882, adopted in 2009, expanded the triggers for listing parties to conflict to include sexual violence and killing and maiming of children. Resolution 1998, adopted in 2011, focused on attacks on schools and hospitals. Resolution 2068 adopted in 2012 expressed concern about persistent perpetrators and called for increased pressure on them. Resolution 2143, adopted in 2014, emphasized the need for child protection training for peacekeepers. Resolution 2225 adopted in 2015 added abductions as a trigger for inclusion in the Secretary-General’s annual report.
More recent resolutions
The Security Council has continued to strengthen protections for children affected by armed conflict through two recent pivotal resolutions. Resolution 2427, adopted in 2018, reinforced the framework for the protection of children in armed conflict and urged the mainstreaming of child protection in peace processes and agreements. Resolution 2601 adopted in 2021 condemned attacks on schools and educational facilities and emphasized the need to facilitate education in conflict areas.
The annual CAAC reports, initiated and informed through these 13 key Security Council resolutions, are vital for documenting, reporting, and addressing grave violations against children in conflict zones. They aim to ensure accountability, raise awareness, and drive international efforts to protect children affected by armed conflict.
Dangerous places to be a child
The report documents grave violations in 25 countries plus the Lake Chad basin. The most dangerous places for children are the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan. Other countries with significant dangers for children include Afghanistan, Colombia, Haiti, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, South Sudan, Ukraine, Yemen, Cameroon, and the Philippines, as well as the Lake Chad basin region (the Lake Chad basin is a significant geographical area in Central Africa encompassing parts of Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger).
Israel placed on the global list of Grave Violators of Children’s Rights
A significant development is the ‘listing’ of Israel for the first time. Israeli armed and security forces have been identified for the killing and maiming of children and for attacks on schools and hospitals. This inclusion follows a significant rise in violations, particularly against children in the Gaza Strip, involving the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas.
This development comes after persistent advocacy by human rights and child rights organizations, including Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, Defense for Children International, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. Despite documented allegations and global advocacy, Israel was previously omitted from the annex of grave violators of children’s rights, largely due to political sensitivities.
“For the first time, the United Nations Secretary-General added the Israeli armed forces to the “list of shame” of warring parties committing grave violations against children in armed conflict. Although long overdue, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ action was fully justified.”
The Annex of the list of shame
The Annex of Grave Violators of Children’s Rights is a crucial component of the Secretary-General’s annual report on CAAC. The annex was introduced as part of the broader effort by the UN to address the impact of armed conflict on children. Since its inception, it has evolved to become a powerful tool for advocacy and accountability. Over the years, numerous state and non-state actors have been listed, leading to various degrees of international action and engagement. The annex serves as a mechanism to hold parties accountable for grave violations against children in conflict zones. By listing violators, the UN aims to spotlight their actions and exert international pressure for accountability and compliance with international humanitarian laws.
“The deceitful and inflated statistics on the IDF year after year in CAAC reports have fed the anti semitic libel that Israel, and Israelis, have a unique propensity towards killing Palestinian children or causing them suffering.”
Violence against children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the scale of violence against children has reached unprecedented levels. The report verified 7,873 grave violations against 4,247 Palestinian children (3,073 boys, 1,174 girls). A staggering 2,267 Palestinian children were killed (1,259 boys, 1,008 girls), with the majority of fatalities occurring in the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces were primarily responsible for these deaths, which resulted largely from the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas. Additionally, 1,975 Palestinian children were maimed (1,825 boys, 166 girls), mostly from tear gas inhalation, live ammunition, and rubber-coated metal bullets during law enforcement operations. A further 19,887 grave violations against children were reported and are pending verification. Also, keep in mind that this data only covers 2023.
The detention of Palestinian children remains a grave concern, with 906 children (897 boys, 9 girls) detained for alleged security offenses. Many of these children reported experiencing ill-treatment while in detention. The report also verified the use of Palestinian boys by Israeli forces as human shields during operations and the exposure of children to military activities by Palestinian armed groups.
There were 371 verified attacks on schools and hospitals, including on protected persons in relation to schools and/or hospitals, attributed to Israeli armed and security forces and Israeli settlers.
The denial of humanitarian access has been another significant issue, with 3,250 incidents verified, impacting children's access to essential medical treatment and humanitarian aid. The report calls for all parties to adhere to international humanitarian law and to take immediate measures to protect children, ensure accountability for violations, and facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access.
Violence against Israeli children
The report highlights significant grave violations against Israeli children, predominantly perpetrated by Hamas’ Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian armed groups. A total of 43 Israeli children (29 boys, 14 girls) were killed, primarily during terror attacks on October 7, involving live ammunition, rocket fire, and other violent means. Additionally, 27 Israeli children (19 boys, 8 girls) were maimed through similar violent acts, including shootings, stabbings, and stone-throwing incidents.
The report also documents the abduction of 47 Israeli children (20 boys, 27 girls) by Palestinian armed groups. Many of these children were held hostage and subjected to ill-treatment in the Gaza Strip.
In addition, 3,900 grave violations against children were reported and are pending verification.
Furthermore, the report verifies 17 attacks on schools and hospitals in Israel, alongside incidents of sexual violence against Israeli civilians, including children, during the terror attacks. These violations underscore the severe impact of the conflict on Israeli children.
Regional overview
East Asia and the Pacific
In Myanmar and the Philippines in the East Asia and the Pacific region, children face significant grave violations due to ongoing conflicts. These violations include recruitment and use by armed groups, killings, maimings, sexual violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals. Boys in both countries are predominantly recruited and used in combat roles, while girls suffer disproportionately from sexual violence, including rape and forced marriages. In Myanmar, 197 children (164 boys, 33 girls) were killed or maimed, and 54 girls were documented as victims of sexual violence. The Philippines saw 62 children (41 boys, 21 girls) killed or maimed and 29 girls subjected to sexual violence.
Eastern and Southern Africa
In Ethiopia, Mozambique, Somalia, and South Sudan in Eastern and Southern Africa, grave violations include recruitment and use of children by armed groups, killings and maimings, sexual violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals. In Ethiopia, 342 children (260 boys, 82 girls) were affected, with significant numbers recruited by armed groups. Mozambique reported 218 grave violations, including 110 children (85 boys, 25 girls) killed or maimed. Somalia experienced 1,242 violations, with 891 children (713 boys, 178 girls) recruited and 351 children (271 boys, 80 girls) killed or maimed. In South Sudan, 523 children (421 boys, 102 girls) were recruited, and 812 children (611 boys, 201 girls) were killed or maimed.
Europe and Central Asia
In Europe and Central Asia, Ukraine reported 938 grave violations against 543 children (309 boys, 204 girls, 30 unknown gender). Eighty children were killed and 339 maimed. Violations include recruitment and use of children by armed groups, killings and maimings, sexual violence, and attacks on schools and hospitals. The majority of child casualties result from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.
Latin America and the Caribbean
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Colombia and Haiti are major areas of concern for children's rights in conflict zones. Colombia reported 432 grave violations against 329 children, with 262 boys recruited by armed groups and 63 children killed or maimed. In Haiti, 383 violations were documented, affecting 307 children (160 boys, 117 girls, 30 unknown gender), with recruitment and use by armed gangs being a significant issue.
Middle East and North Africa
In the Middle East and North Africa, grave violations have been documented in several countries. This includes Israel and the State of Palestine, as highlighted earlier, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Iraq reported 61 grave violations, Lebanon had 104 violations, Libya documented 58, Sudan reported 1,721, Syria recorded 3,074, and Yemen had 2,276. Attacks on educational and healthcare facilities are widespread, disrupting essential services and exacerbating the vulnerabilities of children.
South Asia
In South Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan are key areas of concern. Afghanistan reported 1,865 grave violations against 834 children (736 boys, 98 girls), with significant numbers recruited by armed groups. Pakistan documented violations primarily affecting girls, including abductions and sexual violence. The ongoing conflicts and attacks on schools and hospitals further destabilize the region.
West and Central Africa
In West and Central Africa, children experience grave violations in multiple countries. This includes Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria. Burkina Faso reported 342 violations, Cameroon had 218, Central African Republic documented 414, Chad had 142, Democratic Republic of the Congo reported 3,764, Mali had 1,141, Niger documented 218, and Nigeria had 1,856. Attacks on educational and healthcare facilities further exacerbate the vulnerabilities of children.
Lake Chad basin
The Lake Chad basin, spanning parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, faces severe challenges due to ongoing conflicts, with 2,258 grave violations verified against 1,193 children (505 boys, 677 girls, 11 unknown gender).
Gendered dimensions of grave violations
The report underscores the gendered dimensions of grave violations affecting children in conflict zones, highlighting the distinct experiences and vulnerabilities of girls and boys.
Girls are at high risk of sexual assault
Girls are disproportionately affected by sexual violence, including rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and gang rape. This form of violence is underreported due to fear of stigmatization, reprisals, and lack of access to supportive services. In many conflict zones, sexual violence is used as a weapon of war to terrorize communities and break social cohesion. Examples include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where 281 girls were subjected to sexual violence, and the Central African Republic, with 76 girls affected.
The situation for girls in Afghanistan is particularly dire and highlights significant vulnerabilities and systemic challenges. Out of the 834 children who experienced grave violations, 98 were girls, indicating that while boys were the majority of victims, girls also faced severe threats including maiming, killings, and sexual violence. The Taliban were responsible for sexual violence against six girls, and there were also cases of girls being abducted for sexual violence purposes.
Girls are denied education and safe health care
The report underscores the severe impact of the Taliban's policies on girls' education. Since August 2021, the Taliban have suspended secondary education for girls, with a call from the UN to immediately and unconditionally reopen schools for all girls beyond the sixth grade. This suspension not only restricts educational opportunities but also exacerbates the long-term prospects for girls' empowerment and their ability to contribute to societal development.
Finally, the broader context of attacks on schools and hospitals, with 15 attacks specifically on hospitals, further endangers the safety and health of girls. The use of schools for military purposes by the Taliban also disrupts the educational environment, making it unsafe for girls to attend. The denial of humanitarian access compounds these issues, limiting the availability of essential services and support for girls in need. The report calls for international support to address these challenges and protect the rights and well-being of Afghan girls.
Girls are abducted
Abductions are another significant violation faced by girls, often for recruitment into armed groups and sexual exploitation. These abductions serve to terrorize communities and exert control. High numbers of girls have been abducted in the Lake Chad basin by groups like Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and in Sudan by the Rapid Support Forces. Girls also face killings and maimings, often caught in crossfire or targeted in attacks on civilian areas, as seen in Afghanistan and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Boys are more frequently recruited
Boys, on the other hand, are more frequently recruited and used by armed groups and government forces in combat roles, support tasks, and as human shields. This direct involvement in hostilities subjects them to significant physical and psychological impacts. In the Central African Republic, 79 boys were recruited by various armed groups, while in Sudan, 174 boys were recruited. Boys are also more likely to be detained on charges of association with armed groups, often without due process, leading to further abuse within detention facilities, as observed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Severe psychological trauma
Both boys and girls suffer severe psychological trauma from the violence they experience or witness, though the nature of their trauma can differ. Access to services post-violation is challenging for both genders but can be more pronounced for girls due to societal stigma, especially related to sexual violence. Reintegration into communities also poses distinct challenges, influenced by societal norms and expectations. Addressing these gendered dimensions requires tailored interventions that consider the specific needs and vulnerabilities of both girls and boys, ensuring effective protection and rehabilitation.
Call to action
“ I call on the international community to recommit to the universal consensus to protect children from armed conflict and I call on States to fulfil their primary responsibility to protect their populations and respect all norms and standards applicable in the conduct of armed conflict situations.”
The UN Secretary-General's report highlights the devastating impact of armed conflicts on children and calls for immediate international action to protect these vulnerable populations. The urgent need for peace and protection for children has never been clearer.
The Secretary-General has called upon all parties to adhere strictly to their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, emphasizing the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions in attacks. All parties must cease attacks on civilians and civilian objects and take immediate, decisive action to end and prevent these grave violations. His call to action includes the following:
Prohibit explosive weapons in populated areas: Parties to conflict must refrain from using explosive weapons in populated areas. He encourages Member States to endorse the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Humanitarian Consequences Arising from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and to undertake explosive ordnance clearance, risk education, and victim assistance.
Support international conventions: Member States should become parties to and implement the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons, and the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines. Donors are called upon to provide financial and technical assistance to support these efforts.
Engage with the United Nations: Parties to conflict should continue to engage with the United Nations to develop and implement action plans and commitments to end grave violations. Member States should facilitate this engagement, including with non-State actors. The United Nations must ensure child protection provisions and capacity in all peacekeeping and special political missions, and maintain these frameworks during mission transitions.
Adopt legal measures and protect humanitarian access: Member States should criminalize violations of international law against children and adopt accountability measures. All parties must allow safe, timely, and unimpeded humanitarian access and ensure the protection of schools, hospitals, and humanitarian personnel. Schools and hospitals must not be used for military purposes.
Prioritize the Best Interests of Children: Detention of children should be a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period. Alternatives to detention should be prioritized, and children should be treated within child justice systems, not for their or their parents’ association with armed groups. Member States should treat children associated with armed groups as victims, prioritize their best interests, and ensure child protection actors have access to them.
Release detained children: In line with international law and Security Council resolutions, children with alleged links to Da’esh detained in Iraq and Syria should be released. Member States should ensure counter-terrorism measures comply with international law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Increase financial support: The donor community must scale up long-term financial support for sustainable, gender- and age-sensitive programs, including reintegration for victims of grave violations and addressing the needs of children with disabilities. Funding for monitoring and reporting on grave violations, particularly child protection capacities on the ground, is essential.
Collaborate to prevent violations: Member States and regional organizations should engage with the United Nations to prevent grave violations and foster partnerships for child protection.
This call to action underscores the urgent need for concerted global efforts to protect children in armed conflict and uphold their rights.
Acknowledgment
I used ChatGPT, an AI tool from OpenAI, to help gather information and pull together this blog post. It’s a great way to get a well-rounded view on the topic. If there are any mistakes, they’re totally on me, not ChatGPT.
